James Talbot pens new 'multi-year' deal at Bohemians

Bohemians have confirmed that James Talbot has signed a new multi-year contract to remain at Dalymount Park.

The 25-year-old joined the Gypsies in 2019 and has been a mainstay between the sticks for the club since joining. His impressive form in Dublin 7 has also earned him international call-ups to the Ireland senior squad under Mick McCarthy and most recently Stephen Kenny.

In June, Talbot was called up to Kenny’s squad but withdrew because of a shoulder injury which has subsequently kept him sidelined.

Manager Declan Devine told the Bohs media team: “James is the best goalkeeper in Ireland and he has been a huge loss to the team this year through injury.

“When you’re a manager coming to a new club, you want to keep your best players, so to have James committing his future to the club is something that I am really looking forward to.

“My first two signings for next season – Keith Buckley and James – are two Bohs stalwarts; people who I believe can drive us on to success.

“I look at James and what I see is everything I want as a person and as a player. His affiliation to the club and how much the fans hold him in high esteem means everything.

“In terms of building for the future, and bringing in other players of James’ calibre, keeping him and bringing Bucko back, is a sign of intent in terms of what I want to build here.

“I want good, quality players who care, so it is a genuine pleasure for me to come to a club that has a person of James’ magnitude here already.”

Bohs are currently 6th in the eague Premier Division ahead of the final weekend of games and they could drop to seventh depending on results.

Talbot, who has made 96 league appearances for the Phibsborough side, is looking to put a disappointing season behind him.

“I am over the moon to re-sign. I am humbled to be offered another great opportunity to stay at such a club that I hold dearly to me.

“This club has provided me with countless opportunities which I am thankful for. I had considered travelling assisted by football and that is something I might do in the future.

“But the club going properly full-time next season is an exciting time to be involved and made me want to be a part of it."

He then added: “It’s my first year at the club where we haven’t had something to play for at the end of the season, whether that be trying to qualify for Europe through the league or getting to a cup final, so I want us to get back to that next year.

“It has been a struggle for the club this season. Performances haven’t been good enough but off the pitch, we have lost people who mean a lot to me, and meant a lot to the club. I am at this club for people like Mono.

“And I wouldn’t be at this club in the first place was Keith Long, who gave me the opportunity to come here, and I’ll always be grateful for that.

“Declan has come in full of enthusiasm and positivity, and as an ex-goalkeeper himself, I feel that we have grown a connection already, so I am really looking forward to working with him, and to show the character of person I am on and off the pitch.”